Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema Byeri)

Seated male reliquary guardian figure holding a receptacle. Show wearing the Fang helmet headdresses Nlo-o-ngo. Brass studs for eyes. The dark patina suggests that this figure was consecrated with palm oil. This figure was purchased from the French dealer and art gallery owner Charles Ratton in 1967. Ratton has been described as belonging to the second generation of African Art connoisseurs and he held a prominent position among twentieth century promoters of "primitive art".